Stitcher



y 1939. R. B. DOTY El AL I 2,164,802

swncnnn Filed May 19, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 INVENT OR. fiA /wo/vo 5.707 BY FRED A Ross ATTORNEYS.

y 1939- R. B. DUTY El AL 2,164,802

4 STITCHER I Filed May 19, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4 fi /IYMO/VD5 007'? FRED ,4. Ross July 4, 1939. R. B. DOTY ET AL STITCHER Filed May19 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 0 2 w aw m m P v y 4, 1939- R. B. DOTY ET AL.2,164,802

STITCHER Filed May 19, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7576. 4 I F76. J

RAY/Mama 5.17077 BY 5?.50 A. Foss ATTORNEYS" 1N VENTOR.

Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STITCHER ApplicationMay 19, 1936, Serial No. 80,572

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in stitchers, having to doparticularly with machines for stitching a longitudinal seam in a web ora series of superposed webs traveling at a constant 5 rate of speed. Theinvention also relates to multiple forms in strips sewed together andweakened along transverse lines between adjacent forms both as to thestrips themselves and as to the line of stitching.

It has become a relatively common procedure to produce multiplethickness forms in strips, the assemblage of the strips being perforatedtransversely at regular intervals along the division lines betweenforms, and being folded along the perforation lines into accordion foldsfor convenience in handling and use. As a rule carbon paper isinterposed between successive paper strips in order to transfer to thelower sheets any notations made on the top sheets.

The individual strips are frequently made up by putting longitudinalfolds into relatively wide webs of paper, usually along scored lines.This procedure and the printing of the paper before the folding is donetogether result in what, for lack of a better term, might be describedas more or less fullness, The carbon paper is taken from rolls of theproper width and caused to enter the assemblage as the printed paper andcarbon strips together are drawn along by a feeder which tightly gripsthe assemblage and draws it along at a constant rate of speed. Thecarbon paper contains no fullness. Hence there has been considerabletrouble heretofore in the operation of these machines because it hasbeen necessary to stop the machines at frequent intervals and increasethe feed of carbon paper to compensate for the accumulated fullness inthe paper strips.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome thedifiiculties just mentioned by the provision of a machine for stitchinga longitudinal seam through the assemblage of strips, thereby holdingthem together while leaving them perfectly flexible so that they may beused in a typewriter or other machine of that general character.

Another object is the provision of a new mounting and drive for a sewingmachine, adapting the same particularly for work of the characterstated.

Other objects and features of novelty will appear as we proceed with thedescription of those embodiments of the invention which, for thepurposes of the present application, we have illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevational view of afragment of a feeding machine or puller with our new sewing machineattached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the sewing machinetaken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view partially in section on the line 3-3 of Fig, 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a fragment of a multiple form assemblageproduced in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the chain stitch resultingfrom the use of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken sub stantially on the line'I-'I of Fig. 4.

In the drawings the frame of a puller or feeder is represented generallyby the reference numeral Ill. The puller consists of a pair of endlesschains or belts II and I2 which travel over sprockets or wheels I3 and.I4 at one end of the machineand corresponding sprockets or Wheels (notshown) at the opposite end thereof. At regular intervals these chains orbelts carry transverse gripping bars I5, those of the lower set ofchains being arranged to cooperate with those of the upper set so as togrip the assemblage of strips between them and pull the same forward.Mechanism for perforating the strips transversely is located beyond thepuller and is not herein illustrated be ing of more or less conventionalform.

The drive for the puller may consist of a belt I6 driven from anysuitable prime mover and running over a pulley I'i, At its hub thispulley has a pinion I8 rigidly secured thereto. The pulley and pinionrevolve together upon an extension of shaft I9, the latter being theshaft upon which sprockets or Wheels I3 are keyed. Pinion it meshes witha large gear 2i) which is keyed to shaft 2| upon which the sprockets orwheels I6 are secured. Outside of the frame on the opposite side of thepuller the shafts l9 and it have keyed thereto intermeshing gears 22 and23 of the samesize. By this means the drive for the lower chain istransmitted from shaft I9 to shaft 2!. The two sets of chains ii and I2therefore run at the same speed.

An idler gear 24 meshing with gear 23 is mounted to turn on a stub shaft25 carried by the frame I0, and this gear in turn meshes with a gear 25that turns on a stub shaft 21 carried by the frame I6. The ends of afurther shaft 28 are mounted to turn in arms 29 extending forwardly fromthe frame, only one such arm being illustrated in the drawings, Fixedupon shaft 28 there is a gear 30 which meshes with idler 23. The shaft28 therefore rotates continuously whenever the puller is in operation,

Extended across the forward end of the puller frame Hi there is a metalplate 3| in which are formed two horizontal slots 32. On this plate 3ithere is a transversely adjustable bracket 33 provided with forwardlyextending rigid arms 34. This bracket is bored to receive bolts 34 orthe like which engage the slots 32 and serve to hold the bracket inadjusted position upon the plate 3|. The bracket 33 also carries anupwardly extending arm 35 in the upper end of which is mounted a pivotpin 36.

The bracket plate 33 also carries an approximately triangular forwardlyextending plate 3? which serves to support certain gears. The shaft 28extends loosely through this plate. Adjacent the plate 31 a large gear38 is slidably keyed to the shaft 28 and is adapted to be movedlengthwise of the shaft whenever the bracket 33 and the plate 3'! areadjusted transversely of the machine. The plate 31 carries a stub shaft33 upon which is mounted a gear 40 meshing with gear 38. Gear 48 in turnmeshes with the gear ii which is likewise mounted upon a stub shaft 42supported by the plate 31. Hence the gear M is rotated at constant speedfrom shaft 28 regardless of the position of adjustment of thetransversely movable bracket and its accompanying parts.

The forwardly projecting arms 34, which are movable with the bracket 33,are joined at their forward extremities by shaft 43 upon which areoscillatably mounted two legs 44 that are joined at their upper ends bya small table The legs 44 and table 45 in the present instance form apart of the frame of the sewing machine which oscillates bodily aboutthe shaft or pivot 43. The machine proper comprises a base 46 which issecured to the table 45 by bolts. 41 or the like, providing for removalto permit servicing or replacement.

Near one end of the base 46 there is secured an upwardly extending post43. This post is bored and counterbored to receive a ball bearing 49. Atthe opposite end of the base there is mounted a housing 50 for a ballbearing 58, with an upwardly projecting standard 52 rigidly connectedwith the housing 56. A transverse brace 53 connects the upper end ofstandard with post 48.

In the bearings. 49 and 5| is mounted the principal shaft 54 of thesewing machine. This shaft on one end carries a looper 55 ofconventional form. At the opposite end of the shaft there is keyed agear 56 which meshes with gear 4!. On the shaft 54 just inside of thegear 56 there is secured an eccentric sleeve 5? upon which is mounted aball bearing 58 so designed as to provide a small universal jointaction. On the outer race of this bearing there is mounted a ring 59having a threaded socket in which is adjustably threaded a rod 68. Asmall universal joint 6! with anti-friction bearings is carried in theupper end of rod 60, and by this means connection is had with oneextremity of a lever 82 pivoted at 63 upon the brace 53.

Attached to post 48 and projecting laterally therefrom are two guideblocks 64 and 85 having aligned bores. within which the needle barslides. The needle bar is reciprocated by a short link 61 pivotallyconnected with the needle bar and with the free extremity of lever 62. Asecond bar 68 is also mounted in the blocks 64 and 65 and carries aspring metal foot 59, provided with an opening through which the needleif! is adapted to project when. it descends and enters the work. The bar63 is held against rotational movement by a stud 'H loosely engaging aflatted part of the bar. Coil spring 12 interposed between the block 64and a collar 13 on the bar tends to depress the same. Working againstthis spring however there is a nut 74 threaded upon the upper end of thebar and bearing against the top of block 6 3, this nut being providedwith a serrated disk portion 15 which is engaged by a spring detent 76,by which it is held against accidental movement. H is a metal plate overwhich the work is adapted to be fed, and in which there is. an openingif! for the needle.

We mount a second eccentric sleeve 19 on shaft 54. This sleeve carriesthe inner race of a ball bearing 8%, the outer race of which is receivedwithin a large opening in one end of an oscillating stay link Bl. Theopposite end of this link is mounted upon the fixed pivot 36. It will beobvious that as the eccentric l3 rotates with the shaft the engagementof the eccentric within the circular opening'in link 5! will cause thepivoted frame of the sewing machine to swing ack and forth upon thepivot shaft 43. The eccentricity of the sleeve 49 is not sufficient toproduce a very great movement of the machine at the needle height, andthe extent of this movement may of course be varied by substitutsleevesof dilferent eccentricity. The parts are so arranged and timed that theforward movement of the needle takes place during the lower portion ofits stroke when it is in engagement with the work, and at approximatelythe same speed as that of the work, While the return movement takesplace when the needle is. in the upper portion of its stroke and out ofengagement with the work. We have found that good results are obtainedby the use of a stitch onethird inch long, which means that the shaft 55three complete revolutions for each inch of travel of the work.

In, order to support the strips while they are being fed through themachine we mount a thin metal plate 82 on the frame it of the puller inany suitable manner, the surface of this plate being preferably slightlybelow that of the small plate ll which is. attached to and moves withthe sewing machine frame. The plate 82 extends forward to approximatelythe position indicated in Fig. 1, where it will just clear the path ofthe clamping bars l5 as they move with the chains ii and iii. A post 9,attached to the brace 53, carries a thread tensioner of any knownconstruction, through which extends the cotton thread T used institching the strips together.

The operation of the machine, it is believed, will be obvious from theforegoing description of its construction, it being borne in mind thatthe entire sewing machine oscillates back and forth in timed relation tothe reciprocations of the needle, and that the assemblage of paperstrips and carbon strips is drawn through the sewing machine at aconstant rate of speed by the puller with its gripping bars l5. When themachine is in the center of its oscillation, the meshing relationbetween gears 4i and 56 is close, whereas it is loosened slightly as theframe approaches the end of its stroke in either direction. However, thedistance between the pivot shaft 43 and the point of engagement of thegears is suiiiciently great so that the functioning of the gears is notmaterially affected by the oscillations of the frame. Ihe position ofthe line of stitching may be varied as desired by movement of thebracket plate 33 transversely, and the machine may be built as a'left-hand stitcher, as shown herein, or as a right-hand stitcher, whenthe arrangement of the parts would be largely reversed. Of course itwill be apparent that instead of the eccentric l9 and link 8i hereinillustrated, we may use a crank and connecting rod, the crank being ineffect a form of eccentric.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 7 we have shown a fragment of a multiple formconstructed in accordance with the invention. The paper strips P areshown as folded along one edge, which may or may not be the case, andthe carbon strips C are interleaved with the paper strips. Alongitudinal line of perforations 9! may be employed if desired, andthese perforations may extend through the assembly or through the paperstrips only, as preferred. At regular intervals, dividing the assembledstrips into multiple form units, there are transverse lines ofperforations 9! also extending through the complete assemblage. Thetransverse perforations are put into the assemblage of strips after thestitches which are illustrated in the drawings at S are completed.

In order that the various units of the forms may be easily detached whenrequired, we cut the thread of the seam at the points where the lines oftransverse perforations intersect the line of stitching. Preferably thiscutting is done on the upper side only of the strip assemblage at thepoint 92, as indicated in Fig. 4, the stitching on the lower side beingintact, as shown in Fig. 5. A chain stitch being used, the cutting ofthe single thread in one place is suflicient if the unit to be removedis given a quick snap. On the other hand the stitching is not loosenedby the single cut to the extent to which it would be if the loopedthread on the bottom of the assemblage was also cut, and hence the seamremains effective through all of the necessary handling of the forms.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a sewing machine for use with material fed at a constant rate oftravel, a driving gear, a fixed bearing therefor, a frame for themachine bodily movable back and forth in the direction of feed of saidmaterial, a transverse shaft journaled in said frame, a gear on saidshaft meshing with said first named gear by which said shaft is rotated,needle reciprocating means driven from said shaft, and means actuated bythe rotation of said shaft for moving said machine back and forth intimed relation to the reciprocations of the needle, the gear on themachine riding over the periphery of the first named gear for a shortdistance on either side of the plane joining their axes when the machineis in its middle position.

2. In apparatus for making multiple forms in superposed strips, meansfor feeding the strips lengthwise at a constant rate of travel, a frame,

- mechanism for oscillating the frame backward and forward, the forwardoscillation corresponding in speed substantially with the speed offorward travel of the strips, a sewing machine mounted on said frame andoperated in synchronism with the movements of oscillation of the frame,the needle of the sewing machine entering the work during the forwardoscillation only of the frame, whereby a longitudinal seam is sewnthrough the superposed strips during the constant rate travel thereof,and means for moving the frame transversely to different positions ofadjustment without disturbing the drive to the oscillating mechanism andsewing machine mechanism.

3. In combination, a frame, means thereon for feeding a web of materialat a constant rate of travel, a sewing machine for stitching alongitudinal seam in the web, said machine being mounted for bodilymovement on the frame backward and forward with respect to the line oftravel of the web, and means timed with the reciprocations of themachine needle for effecting said bodily movement of the machine toprovide forward movement when the needle is in the web and rearwardmovement when the needle is out of the web, said bodily movementmechanism and said stitching mechanism being connected with said webfeeding mechanism by non slip driving connections, said connectionscomprising a gear on the frame mounted to turn upon a fixed axis, and agear on the machine meshing with said first named gear and having alimited movement backward and forward with respect to the direction ofmovement of the teeth of the first named gear.

4. In combination, a frame, means thereon for feeding a web of materialat a constant rate of travel, a sewing machine comprising mechanism forstitching a longitudinal seam in the web, said machine being pivotallymounted on the frame to swing back and forth with respect to the line oftravel of the web, means timed with the reciprocations of the machineneedle for effecting said swinging movement to provide forward movementwhen the needle is in the web and rearward movement when the needle isout of the web, said machine swinging mechanism and said stitchingmechanism being operatively connected with said web feeding mechanism bymeans comprising a gear on the frame mounted to turn upon a fixed axis,and a gear on the machine meshing with said first named gear and havinga limited movement back and forth over said first named gear.

5. In combination, a frame, means thereon for feeding a web of materiallengthwise of the frame at a constant rate of travel, a sewing machinefor stitching a longitudinal seam in the web, said machine comprising ahorizontal drive shaft, an upright arm carrying said machine, said armbeing mounted at its lower end upon a pivot extending transversely ofthe frame, means cooperating with said drive shaft for swinging said armback and forth upon its pivot, a gear on said shaft, a gear meshing withsaid shaft gear and located on the frame between the shaft gear and thearm pivot, and driving connections interposed between said frame gearand said web feeding means.

RAYMOND B. DOTY. FRED A. ROSS.

